BV Interviews: Yard Act talk new LP ‘You’re Gonna Need a Little Music,’ Gang of Four, North American tour, more

“This is the first time it’s been a full team effort,” Yard Act frontman James Smith says of the band’s new album You’re Gonna Need a Little Music, noting producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen (NIN, Deafheaven) pushed for that to happen. “Justin said, ‘I think you guys are like The Monkees: all four of you could have your own TV show, but the band is greater than the sum of its parts. So I want everyone’s individuality to shine on this record. I want everyone to be able to see what makes a Yard Act record, because you can sense the people within it,’ which I think as a sort of recording philosophy is amazing. And I think he managed that.”

You’re Gonna Need a Little Music moves away from the scratchy post-punk of Yard Act’s debut, The Overload, and the ’80s-inspired pop of Where’s My Utopia?, and into rock territory that sounds influenced by Britpop and AM-era Arctic Monkeys.

James and I talked about the new album and how it differed from the band’s first two — from the making of to the style of songs. We also talked about how taking a break from recording the album to tour with The Hives, and then finishing the album in Los Angeles, changed the record.

Other topics of conversation: their hometown of Leeds’ long indie history (Gang of Four, Sisters of Mercy, The Wedding Present, Eagulls, more), why they’d never move to London, the band’s upcoming North American tour which has them out with The Armed and Bambara, who is Yard Act’s best cook, and more.

You can listen to my whole conversation with James Smith on the August 3 episode of BV Interviews, which is available wherever you get your podcasts. Listen and subscribe HERE and below.